{Summer in Winter}

Hello, everyone. Finally, finally I am writing! Sorry it has been so long. Since I got back from China, life has been so busy getting ready to leave for Colorado that I haven't had time to write.

Alright. So I'm here. In Winter Park, Colorado. At Snow Mountain Ranch. At the Summer Training Program. And I am so glad I'm here!

Let's see, this update will probably be more like a list because I don't have much time. I have very limited internet access. I only have it in the Commons (cafeteria) and in the Admin Building (which I just am not at very often). Problem is the Commons is closed a lot so I must make my Admin trips more frequent.

Weather: Freezing! I was very unprepared. All we have on our beds is a sheet and thin blanket. The first night we left our window open! Oh my, was it cold! Since then, we have kept the window closed and Mom is in the process of sending me a comforter. I was trying to be better at packing this year...hmmm....last time I try that one. Over-packed and over-prepared is always better no matter the teasing I get for it!

Work: First day of work today. This is my first real employed job. Totally weird. I had no idea what conference services actually entailed! Lots of moving lots of things. Lots of physical work. Basically I get a six hour work out in my eight our work day (subtract two hours for lots of driving a very old van around)! Today we worked nine and a half hours! What a first day of work for my first day of work ever! I think I like having a job though, well at least for the mean time.

Team: Ok, my team leader is fantastic. She loves the Lord so much and it is so evident. She has struggled with many of the same things that I have/am struggling with now. I didn't like her at first and that was because of PRIDE. After God took a chip out of that, I actually would talk to her and it amazes me how good God is. He is sovereign over which team we each were placed into and there is no doubt about that when it comes to my team. My team members are great!Kelly is bubbly and fun. She talks a lot and is super hilarious. Tanya is a bit quieter but as the night carries on, she begins to break out of that. :) We have had so many good laughs already--if we don't have abs of steel by the end of the summer something is simply wrong with our bodies. ;)

Me: Ok, so I'm adjusting just fine now. I was really really having a hard time the first few days--still am because of my PRIDE!! I always knew I was prideful but God really convicted me of it about second day here. I hadn't even been here twenty four hours! My prayer this summer is that He shatters it! I want it to be gone! My desire at the end of the summer is that my focus is completely and solely on Him. I want to be magnificently obsessed with my Savior and my God. That is my prayer.

I'm memorizing at least four verses a week. My desire is that I am able to memorize three in addition to that so that I'm essentially memorizing one a day. I want to know His Word. I don't want to have a vague idea of what this passage in Matthew says anymore. That doesn't cut it. I desire to truly know it so that I might pray it and that I can bring it up in times of struggle. Ah, combatting sin with Scripture. It is called the sword of the Spirit for a reason. I also want to read through the entire Bible this summer. I was considering it before I left and dismissed it because it was simply impossible. Right? Wrong! It is completely possible. It was one of the things that Drew challenged us with the second day we arrived. Every week, I spend a half day with God alone. It's called our HDAWG. I did mine on Thursday which wasn't as satisfying as I had desired because I allowed the things around me to distract me. I was first outside, then moved to my car, then drove somewhere in my car, then went back to my dorm. Distracting! I need to pick a place next time and not move! I moved because of the weather so maybe inside would be a better choice next time. Alright I gotta go. I will hopefully update more often. God is breaking me. I am so glad I am here.